box
- tree

Box trees are a group of eucalypts having variable amounts of
rough bark on the trunk and larger branches. Typical box bark is
scaly or flaky. General types can be identified as follows:

1.
LEAVES SHINY GREEN:

BIMBLE BOX (e populnea) - also known as POPLAR BOX

Leaves rounded and broad - its shiny green leaves resemble
those of the Poplar. It grows best on clayey soils especially those in
depressions or in other areas which may become flooded or waterlogged.
Such areas are often best left for grazing use only.

PILLIGA BOX (e pilligaensis)

Leaves narrow and long - As the name suggests this tree is
common in the Pilliga area. It grows in heavy soils in forests of
IRONBARK and BLACK PINE.

2.
LEAVES ASHY OR GREEN-GREY BUT NOT SHINY:

WHITE BOX (e elbens)

Spreading tree, ashy leaves, fruits 6-15mm long - This is
the dominant tree on areas of rich well drained soil especially,
volcanic soil such as basalt. It is one of the few trees to grow
commonly on heavy (clayey) black soil. WHITE BOX may occur in forests
as the main or dominant species, associated with YELLOW BOX and
ROUGH-BARKED APPLE. Rarely found on high altitudes, in high rainfall
areas, on rough or mountainous country nor on low rainfall level lands.
It is regarded as an indicator of fair land providing good grazing and
where contour permits, good wheat land.

GREY BOX

The term Grey Box is often used instead of white box. This
is because of the occurrence of box timber on wider areas with a
greater variety of soil and in lower rainfall belts.

The
further from good rainfall and undulating country falling away from
the higher or mountainous country, the greater became the variation in
the character and appearance of this timber until a point is reached
when it may be described as an ill favoured rough, squat tree mostly
growing in belts about natural swamps on clay formation and with ill
defined or no subsoil. Therefore the box generally, is not a good
indicator on a large scale but may be a good indicator at the
microscale.

DIAGRAM
1 YELLOW BOX - eucalyptus melliodora

YELLOW BOX (e melliodora)

Large tree, drooping. Fruit less than 6mm. May have very
little bark on trunk. Yellow Box occurs on the ranges and western
slopes of NSW and Victoria. In the eastern part of its habitat, it is
found generally, on gentle slopes and foothills. Further, west,
however, it is largely restricted to the flats along rivers and
watercourses.

It is found on many soil types and its presence indicates
some sand content in the upper soil layer although it prefers heavier
rather than sandy soil. Similar environment to that of the white box
but usually occurs on nearby deeper soil.

This
timber favours the boundary with alluvial and intermixes with Apple and
Forest Gum. Yellow box country except in heavy and reliable rainfall
areas may be subject to wind erosion because of the depth and friable
nature of the surface soil.

The
YELLOW BOX is the best honey tree of the eucalypts as it flowers
profusely throughout the summer. As a solitary specimen it has a
large dense top from about 1/3 the way up the trunk making it a well
balanced tree with a large round crown, graceful pendulous branches
and subglaucous leaves. It is excellent timber for firewood and
fencing.